A row has erupted over Florence & The Machine’s new video which has accused the group of racism.
With the enormous success of ‘Ceremonials’ Florence & The Machine are now globally recognised. Yet this boost to their profile can have draw backs, with an increased profile leading to increased criticism.
The group recently premièred their new video ‘No Light, No Light’ which features Florence Welch attempting to escape an assailant apparently using some variety of Voodoo.
Piercing a Voodoo doll, the assailant is black – a decision which has led to some severe criticism. Website Racialicious has published a new article arguing that the video is racist.
The article states that the video is guilty of “glorifying the white female central character as representing goodness, all while vilifying the evil dark skinned heathen Other.”
“Discussions about whether or not Welch is personally responsible for this racist music video have cropped up. When you break it down and imagine the number of people who were behind the storyboarding, choreographing, casting and creative direction around this video, it is slightly astounding that not one person raised concerns about how problematic this video is.”
The ‘voodoo’ elements of the video have also been criticised. Website Jezebel points out that Vodou is “a religion like any other, with a moral code, gods and goddesses. Many ceremonies deal with protection from evil spirits.”
Directed by Icelandic duo Arni & Kinski, the ‘No Light, No Light’ video emerged earlier this Autumn. Florence & The Machine have yet to comment on the debate.
Watch the video below…
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